KidSport delivers $27 million worth of opportunities for WA kids

18/03/2019 6:00 AM

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Program to assist lower-income families to get their children involved in organised sport reaches $27 million milestone

The State Government's program to assist lower-income families to get their children involved in organised sport has hit a $27 million milestone, with more than 80,000 WA kids having now benefitted from the initiative.

The KidSport program provides eligible children with grants of up to $150 per year to help pay club fees, easing the burden the rising costs of junior sport places on families.

Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray today announced the fund had hit the $27 million milestone - noting the particular benefits it had provided to regional WA, where it has delivered $10 million to eligible children, all the way from Albany to Karratha.

Since the program started in in 2011, KidSport has distributed more than 176,000 vouchers to more than 82,000 children. Of those children, some 55,500 had never joined a club before.

The cities of Wanneroo and Cockburn have both been big supporters of the program, helping to deliver $2.5 million and $1 million of vouchers respectively to children in their localities.

KidSport is run by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, with the help of 131 local governments.

"KidSport ensures that families who are doing it tough do not have to compromise on giving their kids the opportunity to play junior sport.

"The State Government is conscious of the rising costs of junior sport for all families. We never want to see a child left sitting on the sidelines because the family budget couldn't stretch to cover registration fees.

"I'd encourage anyone who's eligible to put in an application now and use the money on offer to help their children join a team or club and enjoy the many benefits of community sport and physical activity."